Beneficial effect of oleoylated lipids on paraoxonase 1: protection against oxidative inactivation and stabilization.

The effect of lipids on PON1 (paraoxonase 1), one of antioxidant proteins in high-density lipoprotein, was investigated in respect to inhibition, protection against oxidative inactivation, and stabilization. When the effect of lipids on the PON1 activity was examined, a remarkable inhibition was expressed by polyenoic fatty acids (C18:2-C20:5). Linoleic acid, the most potent ( K(i), 3.8 microM), showed competitive inhibition. Next, various lipids were examined for prevention against the inactivation of PON1 by ascorbate/Cu2+, which caused a remarkable (>or =90%) inactivation of PON1. Compared with saturated fatty acids (C6-C18), exhibiting a modest protection (9-40%), monoenoic acids (C16:1-C20:1) showed a greater maximal protective effect (Emax, 70-82%), with oleic acid being the most effective (EC50, 2.7 microM). In contrast, polyenoic acids showed no protection. Noteworthy, linoleic acid prohibited the protective action of oleic acid non-competitively. In the structure-activity relationship, a negatively charged group seems to be required for the protective action. Consistent with this, dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol, negatively charged, was more protective than dioleoylphosphatidylcholine. These data, together with requirement of Ca2+ (EC50, 0.6 microM) for the protective action, may support the existence of a specific site responsible for the protective action. A similar protective action of lipids was also observed in the inactivation of PON1 by ascorbate/Fe2+, peroxides or p -hydroxymercuribenzoate. Separately, PON1 was stabilized by oleic acid or oleoylated phospholipids, in combination with Ca2+, but not linoleic acid. These results suggest that in contrast to an adverse action of linoleic acid, monoenoic acids or their phospholipid derivatives play a beneficial role in protecting PON1 from oxidative inactivation as well as in stabilizing PON1

Mulberry Fruit Prevents Diabetes and Diabetic Dementia by Regulation of Blood Glucose through Upregulation of Antioxidative Activities and CREB/BDNF Pathway in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice

Although mulberry fruit has various beneficial effects, its effect on diabetes-related dementia remains unknown. We investigated whether the ethyl acetate fraction of ethanolic extract of mulberry fruit (MFE) could alleviate biochemical and behavioral deficits in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. In the diabetic mice, MFE considerably abolished multiple deficits, e.g., body weight reduction; water and food intake increase; and hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hypoinsulinism, and hypertrophy of the liver, kidneys, spleen, and brain. A 200 mg/kg MFE dose reduced malondialdehyde levels and improved antioxidant enzyme activity in the liver, kidney, and brain tissues. MFE attenuated hyperglycemia-induced memory impairments and acetylcholine deprivation, protected neuronal cells in CA1 and CA3 regions via p-CREB/BDNF pathway activation, and reduced amyloid-β precursor protein and p-Tau expressions in the brain tissue. In conclusion, MFE exerts antidiabetic and neuroprotective effects by upregulating antioxidative activities and p-CREB/BDNF pathway in chronic diabetes. Therefore, MFE may be used as a therapeutic agent for diabetes and diabetic neurodegenerative diseases

Neuroprotective action of N-acetyl serotonin in oxidative stress-induced apoptosis through the activation of both TrkB/CREB/BDNF pathway and Akt/Nrf2/Antioxidant enzyme in neuronal cells

N-acetyl serotonin (NAS) as a melatonin precursor has neuroprotective actions. Nonetheless, it is not clarified how NAS protects neuronal cells against oxidative stress. Recently, we have reported that N-palmitoyl serotonins possessed properties of antioxidants and neuroprotection. Based on those, we hypothesized that NAS, a N-acyl serotonin, may have similar actions in oxidative stress-induced neuronal cells, and examined the effects of NAS based on in vitro and in vivo tests. NAS dose-dependently inhibited oxidative stress-induced cell death in HT-22 cells. Moreover, NAS suppressed glutamate-induced apoptosis by suppressing expression of AIF, Bax, calpain, cytochrome c and cleaved caspase-3, whereas it enhanced expression of Bcl-2. Additionally, NAS improved phosphorylation of tropomyosin-related kinase receptor B (TrkB) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) as well as expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), whereas the inclusion of each inhibitor of JNK, p38 or Akt neutralized the neuroprotective effect of NAS, but not that of ERK. Meanwhile, NAS dose-dependently reduced the level of reactive oxygen species, and enhanced the level of glutathione in glutamate-treated HT-22 cells. Moreover, NAS significantly increased expression of heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase-1 and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit as well as nuclear translocation of NF-E2-related factor-2. Separately, NAS at 30 mg/kg suppressed scopolamine-induced memory impairment and cell death in CA1 and CA3 regions in mice. In conclusion, NAS shows actions of antioxidant and anti-apoptosis by activating TrkB/CREB/BDNF pathway and expression of antioxidant enzymes in oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity. Therefore, such effects of NAS may provide the information for the application of NAS against neurodegenerative diseases. Keywords: Antioxidant enzymes, Apoptosis, BDNF, Memory impairment, N-acetyl serotonin, Oxidative stres

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Ribes diacanthum Pall Mediated via Regulation of Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways in LPS-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages and a TPA-Induced Dermatitis Animal Model

Ribes diacanthum Pall (RDP) is a Mongolian traditional medicine used to treat renal inflammation. In the present study, we initially investigated the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of action of ethylacetate extract of RDP (EARDP) in RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced dermatitis in mice. We demonstrated that EARDP protected against LPS-induced cell death by inhibiting intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) production, as well as the synthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, such as nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β. EARDP inhibited the phosphorylation and degradation of inhibitory κB-α (IκB-α) and the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, indicating that the anti-inflammatory effect of EARDP was mediated via the suppression of NF-κB nuclear translocation. In addition, EARDP induced the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), indicating that EARDP induced HO-1 via the Nrf2 pathway in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, EARDP significantly suppressed the protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. However, ZnPP, a specific inhibitor of HO-1, reversed the EARDP-mediated inhibition of NO and TNF-α production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. EARDP blocked the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Akt in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In the in vivo animal model, EARDP significantly and dose-dependently reduced TPA-induced secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 in mouse ear. Based on these results, EARDP represents a promising natural compound, protective against oxidative stress and inflammatory diseases

3,3′-Diindolylmethane Promotes BDNF and Antioxidant Enzyme Formation via TrkB/Akt Pathway Activation for Neuroprotection against Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis in Hippocampal Neuronal Cells

3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM), a metabolite of indole-3-carbinol present in Brassicaceae vegetables, possesses various health-promoting effects. Nonetheless, the effect of DIM on neurodegenerative diseases has not been elucidated clearly. In this study, we hypothesized DIM may protect neuronal cells against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by promoting the formation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and antioxidant enzymes through stabilizing the activation of the tropomyosin-related kinase receptor B (TrkB) cascade and we investigated the effect of DIM on oxidative stress-mediated neurodegenerative models. DIM protected neuronal cells against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by regulating the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in glutamate-treated HT-22 cells. Additionally, DIM improved the expression of BDNF and antioxidant enzymes, such as heme oxygenase-1, glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, and NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase-1, by promoting the activation of the TrkB/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway in the cells. Consistent with in vitro studies, DIM attenuated memory impairment by protecting hippocampal neuronal cells against oxidative damage in scopolamine-treated mice. Conclusionally, DIM exerted neuroprotective and antioxidant actions through the activation of both BDNF production and antioxidant enzyme formation in accordance with the TrkB/Akt pathway in neuronal cells. Such an effect of DIM may provide information for the application of DIM in the prevention of and therapy for neurodegenerative diseases

Neuroprotective Activity of Polyphenol-Rich Ribes diacanthum Pall against Oxidative Stress in Glutamate-Stimulated HT-22 Cells and a Scopolamine-Induced Amnesia Animal Model

Ribes diacanthum Pall, a native Mongolian medicinal plant, has been reported to show antioxidant activities due to its polyphenol and flavonoid content, and is especially rich in the ethyl acetate fraction from an 80% methanol extraction (RDP). We assessed the cytoprotective effect of RDP on glutamate-caused oxidative stress and apoptosis in mouse hippocampal neuronal cells (HT-22 cells). Cell viability was significantly recovered by RDP treatment. Also, RDP effectively decreased the glutamate-induced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). In flow cytometric analysis, apoptotic cells and the mitochondrial membrane potential were suppressed by RDP. In the Western blotting analysis, we found that RDP not only decreased the release of apoptotic proteins but also recovered anti-apoptotic protein. Additionally, RDP enhanced the antioxidant defense system by regulating the expression of antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, treatment with RDP activated the BDNF/TrkB pathway. In accordance with the in vitro results, RDP meliorated memory deficit by defending hippocampal neuronal cells against oxidative damage in scopolamine-injected mice. Taken together, our present study showed that RDP exerted antioxidant and neuroprotective actions against oxidative stress. Therefore, RDP might facilitate the development of candidates for functional health foods for neurodegenerative disorders